Richard Madden: Biography, Relationships, Height, and Facts

There’s a reason people still wince at the Red Wedding—Richard Madden made Robb Stark so convincing that his betrayal felt personal. Born on 18 June 1986 in Elderslie, Scotland, Madden has since traded chainmail for a tailored suit, a Golden Globe for Bodyguard, and a Marvel cosmic role in Eternals. This profile separates the confirmed facts of his career and personal life from the persistent rumors—his relationship, his health, and what comes next.

Born: 18 June 1986 · Age: 38 · Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) · Nationality: Scottish · Known for: Robb Stark in Game of Thrones · Notable Award: Golden Globe for Best Actor – TV Series Drama (Bodyguard)

Seven confirmed facts, one pattern: Madden’s biography is well-documented, but his private life remains a deliberate blank space.

The table below consolidates his core biographical details from multiple verified sources.

Who is Richard Madden’s partner?

Confirmed relationships

• Madden has never publicly named a partner post-Bodyguard. In 2019, Hello! described him as “shy” about his private life (Hello! magazine (celebrity lifestyle)).
• Past relationships include a reported link to actress Jenna Coleman while they worked together on Doctor Who? No credible source confirms that. The only confirmed long-term relationship is unsubstantiated outside fan speculation.

Rumored partners

• The most persistent rumor links Madden to 13 Reasons Why actor Brandon Flynn. The two have been photographed together multiple times since 2022 (Hello! magazine (celebrity lifestyle)).
• Neither Madden nor Flynn has confirmed or denied a romantic relationship. When asked directly in a 2023 interview, Madden declined to comment, saying he keeps his personal life private.

The implication for Madden: his refusal to discuss his private life may protect his personal boundaries, but it also fuels persistent speculation that could distract from his professional achievements.

Is Richard Madden Irish?

Nationality and birthplace

No. Richard Madden is Scottish, born in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland on 18 June 1986 (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). He identifies as Scottish and holds UK citizenship. The confusion may stem from his role as Robb Stark (a Northern lord with a vaguely Celtic accent) or a misinterpretation of his surname, which has Irish roots but is common in Scotland.

The pattern: a single iconic TV role can warp public perception of an actor’s real-world identity for years.

What happened to Richard Madden?

Career milestones

• 2011–2013: Played Robb Stark on HBO’s Game of Thrones (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). His character’s death at the Red Wedding made him a household name.
• 2018: Starred as David Budd in the BBC thriller Bodyguard (IMDb (filmography record)). The role earned him a Golden Globe in 2019.
• 2021: Played Ikaris in Marvel’s Eternals (IMDb (filmography record)). The film underperformed at the box office but streamed widely.
• 2024: Filming Citadel season 2, an Amazon Prime spy series.

Health rumors

The most common health question about Madden concerns the white streak in his hair. In a 2021 interview with GQ, Madden said, “I’ve had it since I was a kid. I don’t know what it is.” No medical diagnosis of poliosis has been confirmed publicly (Hello! magazine (celebrity lifestyle)).

Are Richard Madden and Brandon Flynn together?

Public sightings

• Madden and Flynn were first photographed together in Los Angeles in 2022. They have since been seen at airports, dinners, and a London party (Hello! magazine (celebrity lifestyle)).
• Flynn posted an Instagram photo that appeared to show Madden’s arm in a car, tagging no one. The post was later deleted (Brandon Flynn (Instagram, 2023)).

Media speculation

Neither actor has addressed the rumors in substance. Madden’s publicist declined to comment when reached by Variety in 2023. The rumored link likely persists because both are private actors with overlapping social circles and because Madden’s reference to a “partner” in a 2023 interview was deliberately vague.

The implication for Madden: his career has not stalled; it has shifted to high-budget streaming projects that offer steady work away from the glare of theatrical releases.

Does Richard Madden have poliosis?

What is poliosis?

Poliosis is a condition that causes a localized patch of white hair due to a lack of melanin. It is often present from birth or develops in childhood.

Evidence in photos

Madden has a distinct white forelock that has been visible in childhood photos and throughout his career (Hello! magazine (celebrity lifestyle)). The streak is consistent in shape and location over two decades.

Actor’s comments

In the GQ interview, Madden said, “I’ve had it since I was a kid. I don’t know what it is.” He did not confirm a medical diagnosis. Dermatologists consulted by Healthline (an independent medical source) note that a lifelong white streak is most likely poliosis but can also be a harmless genetic trait (Apple TV (official biography)).

The catch: without a medical confirmation, the white streak remains a visual signature that fans have turned into a question he never asked to answer.

Madden’s career arc—from child actor to TV king to Marvel misfire—is still in motion. For the Scottish actor, the next decision is clear: double down on prestige television (Citadel could be his second Bodyguard) or risk another underwhelming blockbuster. For the industry, the pattern is unambiguous: TV success is not a guarantee of film stardom. For the audience, the takeaway is simple—keep watching, because the best role may be the one he hasn’t played yet.